EAST SURREY WALKERS AGM 2025

REPORTS

CHAIR'S REPORT

Well political times may be turbulent, but there’s nothing like a walk in the country to make the world seem a better place. Good walks, good company and maybe a pub lunch, who could ask for more?

My first year as Chair has seen me enjoy a lot of these. I’m pleased to say that despite the last minute panic every quarter, our programme continues to be full of a great range of walks. New members have remarked that it is the diverse walks programme that attracted them to our group. We were also concerned about losing walk leaders when the new leader qualification standards were introduced but I’m pleased to say our leaders are made of sterner stuff and on the whole have just got on with it.

The committee here have been a great help, everyone gets involved and does their bit. We have more organising to do than previously as regards social events but with help from our members all our usual socials have gone ahead, including the Walking Wounded Tea party and the walk with the London Blind Ramblers.

The footpath secretaries, Ken’s Crew and our IT experts all do a great job and we were very grateful when Judith Mills stepped in to organise ESW Holidays once Helen Whiteley stood down.

My one concern would be a slightly falling membership but now we have a Face Book presence (thanks to Karen Frost) and an active publicity officer getting our name out there (thanks to Chris Meyers) I hope to see an upturn.

On an area basis, obviously there are meetings to attend in the Surrey Area. It is interesting to find most groups have exactly the same problems/achievements as ESW. Filling Committee roles is a problem all round, in Area as much as local groups. There has been some talk from Ramblers HQ about reorganising the Area structure to try to alleviate this but at present it remains the same.

As you are aware we still have 2 roles to fill, a replacement for Ron Wellbrook as Walks Co-ordinator and Brian Smith as Webmaster. The request for a replacement for Ron’s role in particular has been out there for a year. I am also well aware that at the next AGM several of our Committee members will have fulfilled their 3 years and we will need replacements there also. But we will cross that bridge when we come to it. It’s worth mentioning that we are always grateful for help in whatever capacity so do contact us if you have something to offer. I hope to run a coach trip again next year, this year time just ran away with me, but again it’s the sort of thing any member could take on, with help.

So here's looking forward to the next rambling year, which I’m sure will be as full of walks, socials and fun as this year.

Helen McDonnell –Chair

TREASURER’S REPORT

ESW total funds are £8,453 but this includes £252 holiday funds in advance so the effective total as at 30^th September is £8,201 (2024: £5,900).  The total funds are split into Main Funds £6,702 (2024: £4,561) and Self-Funded funds £1,499 (2024: £1,339).  Main funds are for our walks programme, practical work and administration. The Main funds are further split into our General Fund £1,801 (2024: £1,522) and the designated Kissing Gate (KG) fund £4,901 (2024: £3,039).  The self-funded funds comprise of our Holiday Fund £80 (2024: £80) and Social Fund £1,419 (2024: £1,259).

General Fund

Group funding from Surrey Area was £1,800 following the previous treasurer’s successful additional funding request for larger Kissing Gates to provide “access for all”.  We continue to receive rebates from Ramblers Worldwide holidays when holiday makers register ESW as their preferred recipient.  Please do use this opportunity if you join a RW holiday by nominating ESW.   

Our expenditure is low, the main item being the reasonable expenses of members of our group who participate in Ken’s Krew at £277 although £126 was donated back into the KG fund.

A further £1,500 was transferred into the KG fund.  

Kissing Gates Fund

The KG Designated fund received the above mentioned transfers-in plus the proceeds from the Summer Buffet raffle.  There is a stock of KG at Surrey County Council and no purchases during the year or the previous year.  The additional funding from Surrey Area and little expenditure results in an ample balance at year end. 

Social Funds

The Social fund received surpluses from the New Year Lunch, Cream Tea and Summer Buffet amounting to £160. 

Holiday Funds

Final bills for the Blunsdon holiday in December 2024 were paid leaving the holiday financially balanced.  Any surplus from Abingworth and Runnymede in the autumn 2025 will be reconciled in the 2025-26 accounts. 

2025-26 Group Funding

I submitted a request to Surrey Area for the basic funding allocation for 2025-26 given the fullness of our funds.  If this is accepted the funding will be £594 in line with our membership. 

Stuart England -Treasurer

9 October 2025

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY’S REPORT

The change in membership since the 2024 AGM has been as follows:

Included in the above as at 30 September 2025 are 6 affiliates and 8 members whose renewal payment is pending.

This year has seen a significant reduction in the number of members as a result of seeing slightly less new members and more leavers than last year. It may be relevant that when a new member joins the ramblers they are no longer allocated to a group by default but must choose a group. If they do not do so and they live in Surrey area they are allocated to Surrey area.  The number of members in Surrey area has more than doubled over the year suggesting that more new members are not choosing a group.

New members
We continue to attract new members every month.

Leavers
Inevitably each year there are members who for whatever reason choose not to rejoin us.  Where members are prepared to share their reasons for leaving the most common relate to poor health or lack of time to do the walks.

Deaths
Sadly during the year we have been informed of the loss of 2 of our members: Stephen Mills and Suzanne Hazzard.
Our thoughts go out to their family and friends.

Comparisons

Changes in membership over same period (30 September 2024 to 30 September 2025) have been:

Tricia Ross - Membership Secretary

 WALKS CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT

At the last AGM, I announced that I would like to stand down, explaining that other commitments and mobility problems would prevent me from doing the job I know the role deserves. Unfortunately nobody has come forward to replace me. That said, consequently my involvement over the last year has been less than I would have hoped. 

Over the last year walks provided and attended have more or less held up compared with previous years.

ESW walks data (for AGM)

Not a great deal of change, Wednesday Linear walks have attracted more walkers and more walks provided. Fast Fitness walks have also attracted more walkers. Weekend Longer walks seem to be less popular than previous years, the year generally looks good. However, Leaders do seem to have a growing reluctance to get their walks into the programme on time, this does cause problems, so if you can make the deadlines, it will be much appreciated.

The last year has seen major changes coming down from the Ramblers regarding Leader training and suggested leader requirements when taking a group (please refer to the Ramblers website for details). By and large I think this is a step in the right direction, although it is a bit "one size fits all".

All leaders would have received an e-mail from the Ramblers by July explaining what is now required of them, either modular online training, proof of Leader experience, or holding an existing qualification, to be completed by the end of 2025, I'm pleased to say that most of our regular leaders have so far completed all the Ramblers requirements. 

The latest walk leader training data as of today 15 October:

10 have completed the online training

22 have confirmed they have completed 12 walks in the last 3 years

2 have claimed a valid qualification

3 have partially completed the online training

4 have confirmed they are no longer leaders, the remaining 65 have yet to respond. As I mentioned before 14 of these are not ESW members.

We have also gained 2 new leaders since this exercise started in July (included in above numbers).

By Comparison and looking just at the 34 leaders who had a walk in the programme in Q3 or Q4:

6 have completed the online training

19 have confirmed they have completed 12 walks in the last 3 years

2 have partially completed the online training

7 have yet to respond.

Please note! I am still looking to stand down so please come forward for what I know can be a very rewarding role.

Finally I would like to give warm welcome to our new Leaders and a great big thank you, to existing Leaders for the commitment and time they put in.

Ron Wellbrook, Walks Co-ordinator

FOOTPATH SECRETARIES REPORT

Footpaths Report for area covered by East Surrey Walkers (Tandridge District)

Ray O’Leary

- Godstone - Taken over from Ian Booth on 1/1/25.

Footpath 138 (southern boundary of Godstone Farm) diversion confirmed by SCC on 28 August.

Land West of Eastbourne Road, South Godstone (just south of railway line).  Outline planning application for up to 200 dwellings. No footpaths affected. Objected due to loss of Green Belt.

Deposits under the Highways Act 1980 and Commons Act 2006 served by the owners of Leigh Mill House and Castlehill Wood, Eastbourne Road.   The situation is being monitored.

Seven historical tasks inspected and cleared with SCC.

- Tandridge

One historical task inspected and reported to SCC.

- Titsey - taken over from Ian Booth on 1/1/25.

Five historical tasks inspected and cleared with SCC.

- Oxted

Land south of Warren Lane, Hurst Green. Outline planning application for up to 132 dwellings.  Whilst a footpath runs north/south across the site it is proposed that this will be retained.   Objected due to loss of Green Belt and ‘urbanisation’ of footpath.

Land south of Barrow Green Road.   Outline planning application for up to 190 dwellings.     Whilst a footpath runs across the site it is proposed that this will be retained.   Objected due to loss of Green Belt and the ‘urbanisation’ of footpath. Outline planning consent subsequently refused, now due to go to public inquiry.

Proposed diversion of public footpath 229 (Rose Farm, south of Southlands Road) Footpath inspected, no objection.

One historical task inspected and cleared with SCC.

Tony Pearson - Limpsfield and Crowhurst

 A number of fingerposts at roadside have either fallen down or have gone missing. When a fault is noticed, they are promptly reported and Surrey C.C. tend to get new fingerposts installed within 2 years.

Instances of bridleway marker discs being unofficially added to footpath waymark posts in Limpsfield parish; these have been removed and are presumably the work of cyclists keen to extend the network of bridleways.

Responded to a planning application for a solar farm near Haxted (Crowhurst and Bletchingley parishes), which would affect two public footpaths. Applicants has agreed that, if proposal approved, any changes to paths will remain as public footpaths.

A short diversion of FP 81 Limpsfield (adjacent to Titsey Road) has been approved.

After contact with the National Trust, the surface of a bridleway and 3 footpaths on Limpsfield Common, that were extremely muddy in winter, have been improved by contractors.

Various tasks inspected and cleared with SCC.

Sharon Blake and Richard Aust - Dormansland, Felbridge, Lingfield.

There have been no tasks assigned by SCC in the last 6 months although we have reported a number of issues to CAMS.with photos and W3W  locations.

 A recent footpath diversion application in Dormansland was a minor cosmetic change. Haxted Solar Farm application also affects Dormanland parish but that decision won't be until November.

Roger May - Burstow, Horne, Nutfield, Outwood.

A flurry of activity in July, from Surrey CC to check-out reported problems. Personally cleared two pathways (one in Nutfield, the other in Horne).Another concern was a footpath in Horne. It is to be sorted but I have contact with the owner who seems to be amenable to any work that needs doing. I have taken an extant list of Volunteer Path Wardens for the Tandridge district and updated.

 Richard Mascall - Bletchingley,  Chaldon, Chelsham & Farleigh, Tatsfield, Warlingham, Whyteleafe, Woldingham, Caterham Valley, Caterham on the Hill.

In the last year, trained members of East Surrey Walkers have carried out the usual bi-annual set of footpath inspections, as is done in all of Surrey.  Here are the latest results showing the percentage of paths that are "easy-to-use", alongside the equivalent figures for previous years.

"Easy-to-use" roughly means there are no obstacles and that, if the path has a junction with a road, there is a sign.  Area 4 is the combination of our area with Reigate and Banstead. Currently, as you can see, our area is not doing too badly, following a rather worrying result in May last year. 

 Ken’s Krew

 Another busy year, with my amazing, hybrid, team. We have had some seriously challenging tasks, that have given us a huge sense of achievement, improving footpaths access, and making walking safer, and more enjoyable for everyone. We rather hope some of the ESW members will have experienced the improvements we have made, and will report any defects they find, large or small, ideally with What3Words photo’s, for accurate location ID, so they can be added to the SCC RoW CAMS system, and prioritised for attention. https://rightsofway.surreycc.gov.uk/StandardMap.aspx Small defects can often be resolved with a quick visit from a couple of the team. I frequently say, if no-one tells them, they won’t know. Not meant to be flippant, just a fact of life. We can’t just hope ‘someone else’ will submit a report. Our September task was entirely due to one of my team trying to walk FP272 Godstone, and finding it effectively impassable, due to dense vegetation, and a plank bridge floating on a stinking ditch. Don’t ask, but the improvement is incredible, far greater than our SCC volunteer coordinator expected. We just have to go back, to clear the 150m of blocked path.

The vegetation clearances have generally been reinstatements, not just tidying up. We can only hope the improved paths will now be used regularly, to keep them accessible.

We’ve installed a lot of new waymark posts and finger posts, to try to keep everyone comfortably on the definitive path, and the landowners / farmers happy. We’ve also installed a lot of both self-closing and kissing gates, replacing awkward and damaged stiles.

We’ve installed / replaced / refurbished several bridges, and are now largely using recycled plastics more regularly, which will obviously last considerably longer than wood, and will be substantially cheaper in costs and resources.  No more replacing rotting steps every few years, which allows us to visit a greater number of defects on PROW’s.  A definite win-win.

If you have any questions, please do email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   My apologies that I can’t be present at the AGM, I shall be team-leading the Horley Waitrose RBL Poppy Appeal stall from 09:00 – 19:00h. 

Barbara Bulman - Ken’s Krew